LTC 304-2003 CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No.z-.
To:
From:
Subject:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission//
Jorge M. Gonzalez
City Manager
V
WEEKLY UPDATE
Date: December 19, 2003
The purpose of this LTC is to provide the Mayor and Commission with an update
describing some of the areas the administration focused on during the weeks of
December 8 and 15, 2003:
Neighborhood Leadership Academy - The Fire Department presented on December
8 and the final presentation was made by the Economic Development and the Tourism
and Cultural Development Department on December 15. Graduation will take place at
the January 14, 2004 Commission meeting.
Emergency Preparedness Plans - Representatives from the Administration attended
a Homeland Security summit on December 9 with Department of Homeland Security
Secretary Tom Ridge, Florida Secretary of State Glenda Hood, Miami Dade County
Aviation Department Director Angela Gittens, Miami Dade County Office of Emergency
Management Director Carlos Castillo and several other leaders from around the state
and region. Workshops, sessions, and a panel discussion were held to discuss issues
and concerns regarding homeland security. In addition, a fire drill was conducted at
City Hall on December 12 to ensure that all staff are prepared to evacuate the building
in the event of an emergency.
Penrods - On December 11 representatives from the administration met with Jack
Penrod and his representatives to discuss the term sheet presented at the Finance
Committee on November 20. The parties have agreed on the terms presented therein
and as directed, will work to finalize a concesssion agreement for consideration by the
City Commission in early 2004. While Penrods has complied with the Administration's
original directives regarding initial corrective and remedial actions within Pier Park, the
City has provided further detail regarding additional removal of foliage, landscaping
buffers, density reduction of beds, chairs and tables, and other barriers to ensure that
there are clear paths of access to the Nikki Beach area, as well as determination of
adequate signage delineating this area as part of Pier Park. The intent of the parties is
to modify and/or reduce and/or remove same to make Pier Park a public park property
and accessible by the public from all sides.
United Way - This year's campaign ended on December 12. Staff have been
participating in the citywide fundraising efforts to benefit United Way sponsored
charities; many of which are located with the City of Miami Beach and benefit many in
our diverse community. We are well on our way to meeting our goal of raising $90,000
and surpassing last yea¢s record of $80,000.
Online Permitting - I met with staff from the Building and IT Departments to explore
alternative methods to expedite implementation of the Accella/Velocity Hall software to
enable online permitting for the City's development functions. Various tests of the hand-
held computer software will be conducted in early 2004.
Film and Print - Cast and crew from the hit television show CSh Miami were in our
area to film B-roll (beauty shots) throughout South Florida and Miami Beach to use in
their series' production throughout the remainder of the television season.
Travel Industry Association of America - This important travel organization, whose
corporate members include AAA, American Express, Carnival Cruise Line, Delta, Hilton
Hotels, United, Visit Florida, Walt Disney World and many others, has appointed Donna
Shaw, the City's Director of Tourism and Cultural Development, to serve on its
Government Affairs Committee which develops the travel industry's legislative and
public policy agenda.
Hospitality Awareness Day - Was held on December 15 in the Convention Center for
Miami Beach service industry employees to kick-off the tourism season and encourage
all service employees to continue their commitment of delivering high quality customer
service to all visitors who come to our community. More than 800 people participated in
the event.
Opium Gardens - Representatives from the Administration and Legal Department met
with representatives from Opium Gardens to continue our ongoing discussions
regarding issues involving the property. A follow up meeting has been scheduled to
continue the discussions.
63rd Street Flyover - Staff met with the City hired consultant to discuss the completed
supplemental analysis of the 63rd street flyover project. The report is also being copied
for each Commissioner and will be distributed shortly. The report is being forwarded to
both the Traffic and Parking Committee and the North Beach Development Corporation
for their review and discussion. The brief conclusion of the report is that the original
findings of FDOT were not found to be flawed.
Wayfinding Signage Design - Three separate meetings were held on December 16 to
solicit feedback on the three design options that consultants have prepared. The
meetings included the Design Review Board, the Commission Community Affairs
Committee and a community forum held in the evening. All three meetings produced
very similar feedback that the consultant will factor into a final design to be presented
shortly. Once the final design is available, it will be shared with the Mayor and
Commission.
Collins Park - Staff and I met with Cultural Campus Oversight Committee Chair Nancy
Liebman on December 16 and with Alex Lamis from Robert A. Stern Amhitects on
December 19 to discuss details regarding the Library and Collins Park.
Parks and Recreation Department Annual Holiday Extravaganza - Was held at the
21st Street Community Center on December 17. More than 200 spectators were treated
to an evening of live entertainment consisting of various performances from children
participating in our dance classes, the Lightening Bolts and the Thunder-Tots
Cheerleaders, acts from staff from a number of City Departments and cultural
performances highlighting Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Christmas. The auditorium was
decorated beautifully with lights, a Menorah, a Christmas tree and "snow" to compete
the holiday picture. The show was enjoyed by all and the festive atmosphere filled the
auditorium and the hearts of all who attended.
Venetian Home Owners Association - Staff met with representatives of the Venetian
Home Owners Association (HOA) and Florida Power and Light (FPL) on December 18
to try to resolve issues regarding the use of the City Right-Of-Way (ROW) by FPL. FPL
has taken the position that an exclusive easement must be granted to them to construct
the underground utilities desired by the HOA. The City and HOA requested that similar
terms as negotiated with FPL for the Palm/Hibiscus and Sunset Islands project be
extended to the Venetian Islands project. FPL agreed to consider our written request
which will be forthcoming.
Employee Relations - Committees made up of employees from throughout the City
are working on several upcoming employee celebrations including our second annual
citywide holiday party taking place on Friday, December 19, 2003 at the Bass Museum;
our annual employee recognition and awards program, which this year will be a
celebration of time and talent, taking place on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at the
Jackie Gleason Theater of Performing Arts; and our employee picnic scheduled to take
place on Saturday, March 27, 2004 to coincide with the City's birthday celebrations.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact
me.
JMG\ri
c: Electronic Copy: Leadership Team
F:/cmgr/all/LTC03~,eekly update December19.doc